Written Question
Tuesday 1st February 2022
Asked by:
Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question
to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will increase fines for fly-tipping in order to provide a deterrent in response to reports that the majority of fines given to offenders caught fly-tipping are lower than the cost of hiring a skip; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jo Churchill
Fly-tipping is a menace – which is why we have been taking significant action to stamp it out.
Our proposals on electronic waste tracking will replace outdated paper forms with a robust online system. Our proposed reforms to licencing for waste carriers and brokers will allow us to clamp down hard on rogue waste operations, and make it easier than ever to detect unlicensed operators. These build on enhanced enforcement powers in last year’s Environment Act, and on £350,000 of Defra grant funding for local council projects to tackle areas of persistent fly-tipping.
In 2016 we legislated to introduce a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping of up to £400 – but, for more serious offences, prosecution allows for an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment. While sentencing is a matter for courts, we are working with the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group to produce a guide on how councils and others can present robust prosecutions which should support tougher sentences. We intend to publish this in the spring.
Written Question
Monday 20th December 2021
Asked by:
Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question
to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to renew the annual grant to the Canal and River Trust when the current funding period ends; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
The 15-year Grant Agreement signed in 2012 between Defra and the Canal and River Trust (CRT) requires that a review of the grant is undertaken at the 10-year point to inform a decision on any future Government funding beyond 2026/27 when the current grant period ends. This review is currently underway and will consider the case and context for any future funding arrangements, reporting by 1 July 2022.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 09 Dec 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"Although hon. Members on both sides of the House are justified in saying that it took a long time to restore power following Storm Arwen, is the Minister aware that when Storm Sandy hit the east coast of the United States, it took six months to restore power in some …..."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 09 Dec 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"My hon. Friend said earlier—[Interruption.] Good point. I ask question 8...."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 09 Dec 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"8. What discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the deans of English cathedrals on methodologies to generate sustainable incomes. ..."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 09 Dec 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"Take two, Mr Speaker. My hon. Friend said earlier in answer to a previous question that according to the Treasury, £50 billion is generated for the economy by our lovely English cathedrals, including, of course, the 800-year-old cathedral in Lichfield. Cathedrals are not just places for worship; they are used …..."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"7. What steps he is taking to encourage the use of navigable waterways for freight traffic; and if he will make a statement. ..."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"I thank the Minister very much for her reply, and for her kind comments about me, which I thought were rather nice.
The all-party group on waterways, which I have the honour of chairing, has identified that about 1,500 miles of our 5,000 miles of navigable waterways are suitable for …..."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"4. What estimate the Commissioners have made of the annual cost of maintaining England’s historic cathedrals; and if he will make a statement. ..."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"I thank my hon. Friend for his kind comments and for his answer. Lichfield cathedral costs around £2 million a year to run. In good years, it is able to set aside a few hundred thousand pounds each year to try to repair the damage being done to an 800-year-old …..."Michael Fabricant - View Speech
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